Auckland City will head to Japan for the Club World Cup with a perfect six wins in all competitions this season after humbling YoungHeart Manawatu 5-0 today.
Auckland easily made it four from four in football's ASB Premiership, meaning they depart for the Far East on top of the league. Keeping pressure on City are Waitakere, who strolled to a 4-1 victory at winless Waikato, and Canterbury, after they edged Wellington 1-0.
At Kiwitea St, Auckland scored early and often against lowly Manawatu. Daniel Koprivcic put City ahead after seven minutes, before Luis Corrales doubled their lead with a stunning volley. All White David Mulligan then scored from the spot after Cory Chettleburgh brought down Corrales, before Emiliano Tade and Stephen Carmichael added gloss to the win.
Three points behind the leaders are Waitakere, who cruised to a comfortable win at Porritt Stadium in Hamilton. Waikato have lost all four matches this season, conceding 17 goals in the process, and they were no match for the defending champions.
A Josh Greene own goal put the visitors ahead after 26 minutes, and Roy Krishna added to the lead shortly before halftime. Krishna then set up Ryan De Vries for Waitakere's third, before captain Jake Butler made it four with seven minutes left. There was still time for Harry Edge to pull a late goal back for Waikato, just their second strike in this year's competition.
